With the draft on the horizon, it seems that everyone offers up a mock draft. Well, I am no different. This is an early edition of my take on the upcoming draft and my predictions are based on team needs and how I feel the teams should pick. Obviously, the free agency period will certainly change the way teams draft. Trades may also happen, thus affecting decisions made, but you have to start somewhere. So without further delay, here is the first round of the Wingman's 2004 Mock Draft.

Pick

Team

Player

Pos

Comments:

1.

Chargers

Larry Fitgerald

WR

The team insists that they will give Drew Brees one more shot. While the o-line needs help, players with the potential of the WR from Pittsburgh don't come around very often. Lot of trade speculation surrounds this pick.

2.

Raiders

Ben Roethlisberger

QB

Since Fitzgerald is off the board, new coach Norv Turner will go with a franchise player to bring much needed respect back to the Raider Nation. They look to the big QB from Miami, Ohio.

3.

Cardinals

Eli Manning

QB

Consider the following... the Cards are under the new Dennis Green regime, they will be moving into a new stadium, they lack offensive superstars and they just lost Jeff Blake. They just hope that little brother Eli has been paying attention to his brother and father.

4.

Giants

Sean Taylor

S

The Giants have several key areas to fill but they can fill a big one here as they take S Taylor of Miami. Taylor is an impact player and fits the mold of what Coughlin likes. His presence should change this defense immediately.

5.

Redskins

Kenechi Udeze

DE

Another team with several holes to fill and the return of Coach Gibbs means football is back in the nation's capital. The Skins use this pick on the DE from USC as his arrival should pay immediate dividends. The Skins could trade out of this spot for the right offer.

6.

Lions

Kevin Jones

RB

The Lions haven't had a running game since Barry Sanders left town. That should change with this pick if they grab potential franchise RB Jones of Virginia Tech. This pick could go a long way in saving GM Matt Millen's job.

7.

Falcons

Robert Gallery

OT

The Falcons will look to protect their franchise quarterback with this pick as they go with the Iowa OT. After seeing what Vick means to the success of this team, his protection is key. They need help on the d-line but can address it with their next pick.

8.

Browns

Kellen Winslow jr.

TE

The Browns head coach and former Hurricane coach, Butch Davis is licking his chops at this point as a familiar face remains on the board.

9.

Jaguars

Roy Williams

WR

The Jags hit pay dirt with this pick as they grab the WR out of Texas. Other than Williams, the person most excited with this pick is Jags QB Byron Leftwich.

10.

Texans

Vince Wilfolk

DT

The Texans are more than happy with what is on the table at this pick. They could go with a running back but they instead fill a big hole on their defensive line with the Miami DT

11.

Steelers

Steven Jackson

RB

With a potential franchise RB in Jackson of Oregon State still on the board, the Steelers would be foolish to pass him up considering the stable of backs currently in the Steel City. Look for the Steelers to also be among the suitors for former Michigan QB Drew Henson.

12.

Jets

Reggie Williams

WR

Still looking to fill the void left by Laveranues Coles' departure, the jets may have found just that with their pick of the standout Washington WR. They have several talented receivers but Williams is the best fit for Pennington and this offense.

13.

Bills

Tommie Harris

DT

The Bills are another team with several holes to fill. Despite new head coach Mike Mularky's offensive philosophy, they address their defensive line problems and take the Oklahoma DE.

14.

Bears

Darnell Dockett

DT

The locals will call for hometown boy Chris Perry of Michigan, but Lovie Smith's first pick is defensive. The FSU DT is a widebody that will command double teams and should free up Urlacher to make more plays. After the locals see Dockett play, they will forgive Coach Smith for passing on Perry.

15.

Bucs

Michael Jenkins

WR

The Bucs have been watching the draft for a wide out since the last Keyshawn Johnson episode. The Bucs have plenty of talent to choose from, in this the deepest wide receiver class in years, and they go with the Ohio State WR.

16.

49ers

Michael Clayton

WR

With Terrell Owens' future uncertain and his doing nothing to improve his chances of returning, the team will need to address the wide receiver position. They will do just that and get a good one in the WR from LSU.

17.

Bengals

Will Smith

DE

The Bengals, who until recently, did little to make the locals happy. But with this pick the Bengals continue the lovefest with their fans as they go with the local favorite from Ohio State.

18.

Saints

Chris Gamble

CB

The Saints pass defense was terrible last season and they address that area with this pick as they go with the second consecutive defender from Ohio State. He is raw but has all the tools and skills to be a shutdown corner.

19.

Vikings

DJ Williams

LB

The Vikings need help on defense and they get that with a guy fast enough to go sideline to sideline, as well as the strength to play the run and take on blockers.

20.

Dolphins

Phillip Rivers

QB

For a team that has been without a quarterback since Dan Marino hung up his spikes, they sure get one with this pick. This is a huge pick for not only this offense but also for this franchise. This could be what puts the 'Phins over the top.

21.

Patriots

Carlos Dansby

LB

The Patriots are loaded with picks (4 in 1st 2 rounds) and their team has few holes to fill. Chances are good that they package up some of the picks in some sort of trade. If the Pats are still here, they go with the LB from Auburn.

22.

Cowboys

Chris Perry

RB

With the absence of a legitimate running game in Big D, Parcells and company will have a chance to add a big time back with this pick. They pass on Greg Jones and go with Michigan RB Perry, even though Jones may be the better back.

23.

Seahawks

Shaun Phillips

DE

The Seahawks are able to address their biggest need as they snag the DE out of Purdue. Phillips is a nice combination if power and speed that should allow him to work outside and thus open the middle of the line.

24.

Broncos

Derrick Strait

DT

The Broncos may be tempted to grab one of the highly touted tight ends but they instead address a more pressing need in their secondary and draft a perhaps overrated CB in Strait from Oklahoma.

25.

Packers

Will Poole

CB

The Packers would have loved to see Rivers still here but as it is, none of the remaining QB's can help as much as the CB from USC can. Look for the Packers to be one of the suitors for former Michigan QB Drew Henson.

26.

Rams

Shawn Andrews

OT

The Rams could address a hole at cornerback but they instead shore up their offensive line with one of the best young lineman in the draft.

27.

Titans

Greg Jones

S

The Titans need to ready themselves for life after Eddie George as his age and salary number may result in a change in the backfield. The Titans like the back that George has been and they may have found another in their pick as they go with RB Jones of Florida State

28.

Eagles

Michael Boulware

LB

The Eagles need receivers but they may have already addressed that via free agency and if they haven't they will still be able to find quality at that position later in the draft. At this pick, the Eagles find a possible replacement for Carlos Emmons and select the LB from Florida State

29.

Colts

Jonathan Vilma

LB

The Colts could use this pick on a corner but the also need both inside and outside linebackers. They find a steal in the LB from Miami. He is a bit undersized but under Tony Dungy it may not matter, Vilma is solid and fills a hole.

30.

Chiefs

Rashaun Woods

WR

This pick should be defensive but with a chance to upgrade their receiving corps, they do just that. The Chiefs are showing some age and a lack of speed at the wide out position and Woods addresses both needs.

31.

Panthers

Ben Troupe

TE

The Panthers' Super Bowl run was wonderful for this franchise but now they are faced with keeping the team intact as best they can. One of the areas that the Panthers could really improve is at tight end and they do just that by giving Jake Delhomme another weapon in the big TE from Florida.

32.

Pats

Cedric Cobbs

RB

If the Pats still hold this pick, they select a running back. Since they have already made it known that they do not plan to bring back Antowain Smith, they will be left with just Kevin Faulk. Cobbs of Arkansas will complete their stable of backs.

While I am sure not a draft expert, I believe each of the picks reflect how the teams could go. Since the draft is a hard thing to predict, I leave it to the so-called experts. Please feel free to let me know what you of my picks and offer your thoughts on the upcoming draft by emailing me at: wingman@thehogs.net Your thoughts and comments may be included in a later offering of the Cheap Seats.

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